Pencil the San Francisco 49ers in as NFC West’s finest in 2023 at your individual threat. After the shellacking that the Seattle Seahawks suffered by the hands of the 49ers within the postseason, they’ve taken vital steps to shore up expertise deficiencies on the roster. Come autumn, Kyle Shanahan and Co. had higher be prepared for the 49ers, Seahawks rivalry to be again in full power.
The Seahawks’ bountiful offseason started with the re-signing of Geno Smith. Following a breakout, Professional-Bowl season in his early 30s he signed a three-year, $105 million deal. It contains $27.3 million assured at signing.
The assure by itself is almost $10 million greater than he has earned as an NFL quarterback all through the whole lot of his 10-year NFL profession. Nevertheless, the deal is hugely team friendly for the Seahawks. The $52 million that he’s owed for his first yr, Smith solely receives the whole quantity if he’s on the roster for a calendar yr. Additionally, his cap hit for the 2023 season is simply $10 million, and if he’s launched following the upcoming season his 2024 dead-cap quantity is $17.4 million. With the NFL chief in completion share inked to a team-friendly deal, the Seahawks have been capable of be aggressive in free company.
For the Seahawks to enhance on their 9-8, 2022 file they badly wanted higher personnel to defend in opposition to the run. Per Soccer Outsiders, the Seahawks had the Twenty fifth-worst rush protection DVOA within the league. That was exploited by the 49ers within the playoffs.
Brock Purdy was spectacular throwing for 300-plus yards and 4 touchdowns, however he probably doesn’t put up these eye-popping passing statistics with out his offense’s beastly efficiency on the bottom. Christian McCaffrey averaged 7.9 yards per carry and Deebo Samuel averaged 10.7. With the 49ers capable of constantly gash the Seahawks on the bottom it opened up the remainder of the sphere for the 49ers’ large receivers. Three of them — Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings — averaged higher than 20 yards per reception.
The Seahawks’ largest transfer in free company was signing Dre’Mont Jones. In keeping with Subsequent Gen Stats, Jones had the tenth highest Run-Stuff Charge within the league. He’s additionally a flexible participant who can line up each inside and outdoors. Jones can be a succesful cross rusher. He has recorded 6.5 sacks within the final two seasons.
He’s not the one addition that the Seahawks made to their defensive position. They introduced again their 2016 second-round choose Jarran Reed. In his final season with the Seahawks — 2020 — that they had the seventh-best rush protection DVOA within the NFL.
Reed will not be the one former Seahawk that the franchise signed this offseason. The captain is residence. They introduced again Bobby Wagner after one season with their division-rival Los Angeles Rams.
Wagner might not be as explosive of a participant as he was throughout the Legion of Growth years, however he’s nonetheless a extremely productive participant as an inside linebacker. Professional Soccer Focus graded him as the very best participant on the Rams in 2022.
The signing of Julian Love marks an enchancment within the Seahawks’ protection in any respect three ranges. Of all of the safeties within the NFL who’ve tallied a minimum of 150 tackles over the last three seasons, Love missed the second-fewest. He can be paired within the secondary with Jamal Adams.
Because of the Russell Wilson commerce, along with all of this defensive enchancment, the Seahawks nonetheless have two picks within the first spherical of the upcoming NFL Draft — together with No. 5 general.
For the gamblers on the market, it’s time to place wagers not solely on the Seahawks to win the NFC West but additionally for them to go to the Tremendous Bowl. They’ve a robust roster that’s going to proceed to enhance with the draft now just one month away.
